EU Statement – UN General Assembly 5th Committee: Second Resumed Session closing session
Madam Chair,
I have the honor to speak on behalf of the European Union and its Member States.
The Candidate Countries North Macedonia, Montenegro*, Ukraine, the Republic of Moldova, Bosnia and Herzegovina* and Georgia, and the EFTA country Iceland, member of the European Economic Area, as well as Armenia, Andorra, Monaco, themselves with this statement.
At the outset, allow me to thank you, Madam Chair, as well as the members of the Bureau and all the coordinators, for your lidership and guidance throughout this very challenging session. We also wish to express our sincere appreciation to the Fifth Committee team and to all members of the Secretariat, both at Headquarters and in the field, for their unwavering dedication and hard work, particularly in the face of ongoing constraints.
This Second Resumed Session has been dedicated to ensuring that United Nations peacekeeping operations have the resources needed to carry out the mandates entrusted to them by Member States. We therefore welcome the adoption of the peacekeeping budgets for the 2026/27 financial period, which provide the necessary framework for our missions to deliver effectively in increasingly complex environments.
Yet adopting budgets is only part of our responsibility. Their implementation depends on all Member States meeting their financial obligations in full, on time and without conditions. The payment of assessed contributions is not optional. It is a legal obligation under the Charter of the United Nations and a shared responsibility toward the Organization and the international community it serves. Non-payment and late payment undermine decisions reached by consensus, weaken the credibility of our collective commitments and, most importantly, jeopardise the safety, effectiveness, and operational readiness of personnel serving in the field.
No credits methodology can substitute for this fundamental responsibility. It can only contribute constructively to smoothening the liquidity problems, but it cannot solve its root causes. Still, the discussions during this session on this critical issue have demonstrated our shared determination to strengthen the Organization's resilience in the face of recurring liquidity challenges. The dedication, expertise, and constructive engagement shown by groups and delegations in developing this proposal reflect a common commitment to safeguarding the Organization's ability to fulfil its responsibilities.
The European Union and its Member States express their sincere appreciation for these efforts and warmly welcome the adoption of the resolution on a revised methodology for the calculation of credits to be returned. It stands as a milestone in the ability of Member States to forge consensus even in challenging times, united by a shared trust in the Organization and a common responsibility for its future. We hope that this achievement will continue to inspire confidence in multilateralism and reaffirm the values of cooperation, solidarity, and collective action in which the European Union and its Member States firmly believe.
This outcome should not allow us to lose sight of our collective responsibility to examine, carefully and constructively, the proposed revisions to the Financial Regulations and Rules, as well as those governing programme planning and the programme aspects of the budget. These reforms are essential to strengthening the Organization's governance, accountability, and financial resilience. We trust that the Committee will accord this work the priority it deserves during the next session.
Following five years during which the Committee was unable to provide guidance on the Support Account beyond endorsing the recommendations of the ACABQ, we have now achieved a substantive resolution. This demonstrates that, where there is political will and a spirit of compromise, the Fifth Committee is capable of delivering meaningful results through consensus. We hope that this same constructive approach will also be applied to the United Nations Global Service Centre and the Regional Service Centre. These critical peacekeeping support functions are indispensable to improving the effectiveness of field missions and strengthening the operational capacity of the United Nations. They merit thorough, substantive consideration rather than procedural deadlock or routine approval.
At the same time, the absence of agreement on cross-cutting policy guidance for peacekeeping operations has limited our ability to respond to the evolving needs in the field, at a time when greater coherence, adaptability, and effective oversight are essential. The European Union and its Member States are particularly disappointed that consensus could not be reached on the resolution addressing sexual exploitation and abuse, despite the contributions of all Member States to end this ongoing scourge. The first-ever system-wide review by the Joint Inspection Unit offered a rare occasion to recognise that such abuse is not confined to peacekeeping missions and most importantly to assure victims, overwhelmingly women and girls, that we can rise above our negotiating positions to acknowledge their plight and set a path to reform. We deeply regret that the Committee was unable to allow additional time to continue efforts towards an agreed outcome. We continue to stress that preventing and responding to sexual exploitation and abuse is a responsibility shared by the entire United Nations system and one that should unite, rather than divide, Member States. The recommendations of the Joint Inspection Unit provide an important basis for strengthening the Organization's response and deserve the full support and sustained commitment of the whole UN System.
Madam Chair,
Beyond the outcome of this session, we should continue reflecting on our working methods.
Delaying substantive engagement until the very end of the process does not facilitate consensus. Consensus should be built through dialogue and compromise, not through endurance. Long breakout sessions followed by negotiations concentrated at the very end of the process, under increasing fatigue, are not conducive to balanced and well-informed decisions.
If we expect efficiency from the Organization, we must first demonstrate it in our own work. Better use of the time we spend together, more timely engagement, and realistic negotiating schedules are essential to building trust and achieving consensus. By strengthening these foundations, the Fifth Committee can continue to demonstrate that effective multilateralism delivers results for the Organization and for all Member States.
Madam Chair, distinguished colleagues,
Since this also marks the conclusion of the Fifth Committee’s annual session, we would like to take this opportunity to salute you, Madam Chair, and your Bureau. We warmly congratulate and commend you for your tireless efforts in guiding our work throughout the 80th Session, that will be remembered for the session of the revised estimates, the efficiency measures and the successful negotiations on the change to the credits methodology. Throughout these demanding months, your unwavering commitment, professionalism, and leadership, have been instrumental in steering our work and facilitating constructive dialogue, even during the most difficult negotiations.
Before closing, I would like to offer a special word of appreciation to the colleagues who will be leaving the Committee. Some of you have become far more than fellow delegates, you have been trusted partners, valued friends, and, if I may say so, my "partners in crime" throughout these negotiations. Working alongside you has been both a privilege and a pleasure.
Dear colleagues and friends, your dedication, professionalism, and friendship have left a lasting mark on this Committee and on all of us who have had the opportunity to work with you. You will be greatly missed, both professionally and personally. We wish you every success and happiness in your future endeavours, and we have no doubt that you will continue to make a positive difference wherever your paths may lead.
I thank you Madam Chair.
- North Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia, Albania and Bosnia and Herzegovina continue to be part of the Stabilisation and Association Process.